The Saratoga Belmont Stakes: A Visitor’s Guide to the Spa City

The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is coming to Saratoga Spring this June! While Saratoga’s own track season runs from July 11 – September 2, 2024, the Saratoga Race Track – and all of Saratoga Springs – is opening up with fanfare to welcome the third leg of the Triple Crown to the Capital Region of NY.

For those visiting Saratoga Springs for the first time to enjoy the racing June 6 – 9, here is a guide to all things Spa City to enjoy!

Where to Stay

Whether you’d like a hotel or a home to rent for the duration of the week, Saratoga has a place for everyone! Here at Julie & Co. Realty, we have homes listed that will accommodate groups from small to large. Take a look at some of the properties we have available during your stay! From cozy homes within walking distance to the track to large properties overflowing with amenities, we are sure to have a good fit no matter your preferences.

For hotels, campgrounds, or other accommodations, Saratoga.com has a directory with alternative options available in the Saratoga area.

What to Wear

For those who have attended the Belmont Stakes in past years, you know that the race is all about dressing to impress! Here in Saratoga, the races are no different! Depending on what tickets you secure for your time at the Track, here is a guide to traditional dress code options for our regular Saratoga Track Meet. In early June, you can usually expect highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s Fahrenheit, putting summer fashion in full swing during the Belmont Stakes!

What to Eat

Saratoga Springs is full of delicious cuisine – from places for a quick bite to multi-course dinners.

If you are looking for food close to the track, check out The Trackside Grill, which plans to bring on additional staff, as they do for the regular Saratoga Track Meet each year, for the week of the Belmont Stakes. This restaurant, just 50 yards from the Clubhouse Gate at the Track, provides simple American options, such as sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs, that are perfect after a busy day at the track.

For a more upscale eatery close to the Track, consider Morton’s The Steakhouse, located within the Saratoga Casino Hotel and just minutes from the Track. Or, head uptown to Morrissey’s Lounge & Bistro for a mix of sushi, flatbread pizzas, and more!

For those craving Mexican, don’t miss out on Cantina, with its delicious full menu downstairs and a rooftop bar upstairs, or the Mexican Connection Restaurant & Tequilaria, located right on Nelson Avenue!

What to Do

After a day at the Track, head downtown for some boutique shopping, where you can find tomorrow’s perfect fascinator at Hatsationals’ Haberdashery, taste artisanal olive oils at Saratoga Olive Oil Co, and try on your next fashion statement from NY fashion designer Staci Snider at Snider Fashion.

If the outdoors are more your speed, check out our guide to the beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park! Enjoy some light hiking, see the natural springs, and relax in the mineral baths at this expansive and historic park.

Also, don’t miss the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, honoring the many achievements of thoroughbred race horses and their jockeys and trainers, and the Saratoga Automobile Museum, where a new Enzo Ferrari exhibit has just come on display!

Here in Saratoga Springs, there is no end to what to do or see while you are visiting for the Belmont Stakes. Enjoy delicious food and drinks, a vibrant downtown with boutiques and historic Victorian homes, and luxurious accommodations close to all the action. Whether this is your first time or your one hundredth time to this beautiful city, Saratoga has plenty in store for everyone during the 2024 Belmont Stakes.

About the Author

By: Rachel Valerio
Exclusive for JulieCoRealty.com